Human-Powered Watercraft

ABSTRACT

A human-powered watercraft, such as a surfboard, paddleboard, body board, or standup paddleboard, incorporates a central section that is narrower than the bow and stern sections.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to human-powered watercraft such as surfboards, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards, propelled by human arms or with hand-held paddles, typically used to move through water in oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, or any standing or moving water, or to catch and ride waves. The present invention greatly improves upon prior art surfboards, paddle boards, and standup paddleboards by incorporating a counter-intuitive, narrower, central portion of the watercraft, with widths increasing away from the central, narrower portion before decreasing at the nose (bow) and tail (stern). Prior art human-powered watercraft are typically widest near the center of the longitudinal axis of the watercraft, with widths decreasing toward the nose and tail.

2. Background of the Invention

The present invention applies to human-powered watercraft commonly referred to as surfboards, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards. All of these watercraft share common features; elongate shape, with the long axis typically at least twice the maximum width, a planform shape where the maximum width is near the center of the board and tapers to the narrower bow and stern ends, and board thickness varying according to the desired buoyancy and to accommodate various design features. More specific features of these boards, such as “nose rocker”, “tail rocker”, rail shape, bottom contours, surface contours, number, type, and placement of fins, among other possible design elements, change specific performance characteristics of the boards, but do not significantly change their basic function of being used to move through water while lying, kneeling, sitting, or standing on the board, and possibly to catch and ride waves.

Human-powered watercraft known as surfboards were first used by Polynesians more than 1500 years ago. A good summary of the history of surfing and discussion of the various types of surfboards, construction types, and innovations in surfboard development that occurred in the 20th century, may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 8,702,462 B1 (by Klokow and Klokow, 2014). Surfboards are propelled by riders paddling with their hands while lying or kneeling on the boards.

Paddleboards are often longer and wider than surfboards and typically used for long-distance paddling or surf rescue missions. Like surfboards, they are also paddled by riders hands while lying or kneeling on the boards, and possibly while sitting on the boards.

Standup paddleboards, or SUPs, are a relatively new variety of human-powered watercraft. SUPs are similar in design and appearance to surfboards and paddleboards, but may be constructed with a greater thickness, to increase buoyancy, and greater width to increase stability when standing on them. A long paddle is used by riders to provide propulsion by stroking the water on either side of the board.

The three terms used for these human-powered watercraft; surfboard, paddleboard, and standup paddleboard, are all interchangeable, since, depending on the rider and desired purpose, any of the three may be used as if it were either of the other two. For example, a board could be used just for paddling while lying down (a paddleboard), or it could be used to paddle, catch, and ride waves (a surfboard), or it could be paddled with a paddle while standing up (a standup paddleboard). A larger surfboard used by a large adult male may serve as a standup paddleboard when used by a lighter woman or child. A standup paddleboard may be used to paddle around without a paddle, therefore serving as a “paddleboard”, or it may be used to catch and ride waves when paddling by hand, serving as a “surfboard”.

3. Discussion of Prior Art

Prior art surfboards, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards utilize a general shape characteristic of most watercraft; an elongate hull that includes a nose (bow) and tail (stern) section separated by a wider central section. Patents that teach to this basic watercraft shape are too numerous to list, since virtually all watercraft patents that include any discussion of vessel hull shape include this basic characteristic. Perhaps it is because of the history of boat making and surfing that this basic shape continues to persist. The present invention, involving a narrower middle section of the watercraft, is a significant departure from the prior art. There has been at least one snow-riding craft which teaches to the basic “hourglass shape” of the present invention (Remondet, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,760), but this shape, also used on modern “shape skis” is used to provide completely different results on snow than what the present invention produces when used in the construction of surfboards, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards used on water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicant has determined that there exists a need to provide surfboards, paddle boards, and standup paddleboards that can be paddled more efficiently, and if desired, paddled fast enough by a rider to catch waves more easily, and to possibly catch waves too large to paddle into with a prior art longboard surfboard, paddleboard, or standup paddleboard. When paddling and catching a wave with the present invention, a rider is able to utilize more efficient paddling strokes since the riders arms are not forced to reach around the width associated with a conventional long board surfboard or paddleboard, or extend a paddle out to the side as far as when using a conventional standup paddleboard. This allows faster speeds to be achieved, possibly allowing larger waves to be caught. The narrower central portion of the present invention also results in a reduction in weight, and reduced construction material requirements. The reduction in construction material requirements reduces construction costs and construction time, allowing a reduction in the total cost associated with the construction of each board. The lighter weight and narrower mid-section makes it easier to hand carry embodiments of the present invention, by allowing arms to extend around the middle section of the watercraft. The narrower middle section allows boards to maintain stability characteristics of wider boards while allowing paddling efficiency of narrower boards. Finally, the board shape improves the maneuverability of the watercraft when riding waves by allowing riders to stand on the tail section of the board and ride waves as if the board were much shorter.

The attached drawings show the basic features of a conventional longboard surfboard, a conventional shortboard surfboard, and several embodiments of the present invention. It is impossible to show all the potential embodiments of the present invention, but any surfboard, paddleboard, or standup paddleboard, with nose and tail portions connected by a middle portion of the board that is narrower than the nose or tail portions, could be considered an embodiment of this invention. The overall dimensions can be increased or decreased to fit the needs of a given rider, or purpose of the board. For example, a standup paddle board using the present invention's characteristics would have a similar plan view as a plan view of a surfboard made using the present invention's characteristics, but may be longer and wider than a surfboard, and may be thicker as well. A wide variety of bottom contours, nose rocker, tail rocker, rail types, number and types of fins, inclusion of a stringer or multiple stringers for longitudinal strengthening, and other variations could be included with the present invention, to fine-tune the desires of a given rider, and variations in conditions of the waters the invention would be used on. The materials used for construction of the present invention can also have a wide range of possibilities, as the present invention is not dependent on a particular construction material or construction technique; it is the unique aspects of the invention's capabilities resulting from the narrower middle portion of the board that joins the conventional width nose and tail portions of the board that provides the unique capabilities of the invention. Virtually any existing, conventional surfboard, paddleboard, or SUP could be modified to embody the present invention by decreasing the width of the central portion of the board, or by increasing the widths of the nose and tail sections of the board. It should be obvious to anyone skilled in the art of surfboard, paddleboard, or standup paddleboard construction that the present invention can be constructed by modifying existing designs and construction techniques, including, but not limited, to various foam core surfboards and paddleboards covered with epoxy or polyester with fiberglass reinforcement, or various types of wood, plastics, and other lightweight materials, if the narrower central portion of the watercraft of the present invention is included as part of the final product.

Conclusion: As can be seen by the example embodiments (as seen in plan view) of the present invention (depicted schematically in FIGS. 18-29), the common aspect, and the defining aspect of the present invention, and the aspect which separates it from prior art watercraft intended for use in paddling on water, and possibly catching waves and riding waves, is the narrower middle portion of the watercraft that connects the two wider ends. Regardless of other design features a given rider may wish to have incorporated into a watercraft typically used for paddling in water, and that may also be used to catch and ride waves, any human-powered watercraft that includes a narrower middle portion that connects wider nose and tail sections, is considered an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Novel features of the present invention together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the following description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which potential embodiments of the invention are illustrated. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration description only and are not intended as definitions of the limits of the invention. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are recited with particularity in the claims. The critical aspect of the present invention which distinguishes it from prior art surfboards, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards is the narrower central section of the board.

There has been broadly outlined more important features of the invention in the summary above and in order that the detailed description which follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be appreciated. There is, of course, additional discussion of the invention that will be included hereinafter and which will provide additional understanding of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art of constructing surfboards, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based readily may be utilized as a basis for the designing of other surfboards, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards that fulfill one or more of the several advantages of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Certain terminology and the derivations thereof may be used in the following description for convenience and reference only. In all of the plan view drawings, the end toward the top of each page represents the nose (bow) of the watercraft, and the end toward the bottom of each page represents the tail (stern) of the watercraft. “Width” refers to the length of a line connecting lines normal to the left and right edges of a board. In a conventional, prior art, surfboard, paddleboard, or standup paddleboard, there is only one width, located near the center or closer to the tail of the board. However, two widths can be considered to be characteristic of the present invention; a nose width and a tail width, with a narrower middle section in between.

The present invention provides a watercraft comprised of an elongated hull having a nose section (bow section), a middle section, and a tail section (stern section), with the middle section narrower than the widest portions of the nose and tail sections. FIG. 1 shows a representative plan view of a typical, prior art, “long board” surfboard, consisting of a nose and tail section joined by a wider middle section. FIG. 18 shows a representative plan view of a potential embodiment of the present invention, showing a nose and tail section separated by a narrower middle section.

The narrower middle section of the present invention improves the paddling efficiency of any surfboard, paddleboard, or standup paddleboard by allowing an arm or paddle to enter and stroke the water closer to the centerline of the watercraft, which transfers more paddling energy into forward thrust, rather than causing yaw; a twisting of the watercraft which increases as the distance of paddling away from the centerline increases. Yawing is particularly a problem when paddling a standup paddleboard, due to typically wider central sections, requiring constant adjustment by switching the paddle from one side of the board to the other. The more efficient paddling of surfboards and paddleboards afforded by the present invention, when lying down on the watercraft, is also enhanced, because more of a riders arms enter the water during each paddle stroke. This is analogous to a canoe paddle being used with the blade only partially in the water, verses completely in the water; when paddling a human-powered watercraft, a rider's arms are the “paddles”, so allowing more of a rider's arms to enter the water improves the paddling efficiency. The reduced bottom surface area associated with the various potential embodiments of the present invention reduces skin friction compared to prior art human-powered watercraft, also increasing the paddling efficiency. Lastly, the reduced weight of embodiments of the present invention improves paddling efficiency, since less weight is being paddled with each stroke.

The narrower middle section of the present invention makes it easier to carry the watercraft for two reasons. Firstly, since the circumference of the middle section is decreased, it may be possible to completely reach around the watercraft to carry it, as opposed to relying on a special hand grip, or having to carry the board over one's head, or be carried by two people. Secondly, the reduced weight afforded by the reduced materials required for construction also improves the transport ease associated with the present invention.

The narrower central section associated with the present invention results in reduction of materials required for construction, which results in reduced costs and time required for construction. As previously mentioned, the reduced material requirement reduces the watercraft weight, improving the paddling efficiency and transportation ease.

An additional advantage of the present invention over the prior art results from reducing the “tippiness”. The stability of a surfboard, paddleboard, or SUP is largely proportional to the board length and width. By incorporating a narrower central section of a board constructed as an embodiment of the present invention, a rider experiences the stability of a wider board while taking advantage of the greater paddling efficiency of a narrower board.

An additional improvement of the present invention over the prior art is accomplished due to the narrower middle section. While riding waves, the increased watercraft speed caused by surfing, paddling, or standup paddleboarding causes embodiments of the present invention to transform from displacement hull watercraft to planning hull watercraft, resulting in the ability of a rider to stand on the stern section of the watercraft and maneuver the craft as if it were a much shorter surfboard, paddleboard or standup paddleboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Plan view of typical “longboard” surfboard.

FIG. 2 Side view of “longboard” surfboard.

FIG. 3 Plan view of typical “shortboard” surfboard.

FIGS. 4-14 Example cross-sections of surfboard, paddleboard, or standup paddleboard.

FIGS. 15-17 Example plan views of surfboards, paddleboards, or standup paddleboards with additional plan form variety.

FIG. 18 Plan view of potential embodiment of present invention.

FIGS. 19-29 Additional plan views of potential embodiments of present invention.

FIG. 30 Schematic drawing of person paddling a typical surfboard.

FIG. 31 Schematic drawing of person paddling an embodiment of the present invention as a surfboard or SUP.

FIG. 32 Schematic drawing of person paddling typical standup paddleboard.

FIG. 33 Schematic drawing of person paddling a potential embodiment of the present invention as a standup paddleboard.

FIG. 34 Schematic drawing of a person hand carrying a standup paddleboard, paddleboard, or large surfboard.

FIG. 35 Schematic drawing of a person hand carrying a potential embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 36 Cross-section of a “soft” rail.

FIG. 37 Cross-section of a “hard” rail.

FIG. 38 A potential embodiment of the present invention in which the board is not symmetrical about the long axis.

To understand the improvements of the present invention over the prior art, a brief summary of typical prior art human-powered watercraft is presented. FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a typical human-powered watercraft, which, in this example, is a typical “longboard” surfboard. Surfboards are roughly divided into two categories; longboards and shortboards. Longboards are typically more than eight feet long, wider, and more stable than shortboards, which are typically less than seven feet long. FIG. 1 could also be considered to be representative of many paddleboards and standup paddleboards, because, as previously discussed, there is not a sharp distinction between the three basic types of human-powered watercraft the present invention is considered to be a part of. Surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs are constructed by covering a buoyant core material with a waterproof surface material, or may be constructed of a single buoyant material. The waterproof surface material, usually a fiberglass and binder (polystyrene or epoxy) composite provides strength. Often, at least one “stringer”, a lateral reinforcement member, runs the length of the board to provide stiffening and strength along the long axis. However, depending on the construction, it is possible to have “stringerless” human-powered watercraft. The length (1) of the watercraft is the distance from the tip of the nose (bow) (2) to the tip of the tail (stern) (3). The width of the craft (4) is the distance from the widest point on the left left edge (5) to the widest point on the right edge (6). When discussing surfboards, paddleboards, and standup paddleboards, the edges are referred to as “rails”. The term “rail” will be used in the remainder of this disclosure. It should be noted that paddleboards, and particularly SUPs are often significantly wider than the plan view shown in FIG. 1. The greater width of SUPs is incorporated in their construction to provide greater stability when standing on the boards. The left (5) and right (6) rails extend from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail. Some boards have a flat tail which could be considered to be a third rail (FIG. 15). The shape of the rails determines how water flows over them when the board is planing and turning. Different shapes have different uses. Rails are typically thickest towards the center of the board and thinnest at the tail and nose. Hard rails and soft rails are the two main types of rails. Soft rails are rounded with no defined edges and a smooth transition (FIG. 36). Hard rails (FIG. 37) have a distinct edge and may meet the bottom of the board in a corner. Soft rails are common on traditional longboards and provide good stability and plenty of drive. However, a board with soft rails will not turn as easily as a hard-railed board. The harder the rail, the quicker and tighter the board will turn. Rails can be described not only in general terms like hard and soft but also in terms of shape characteristics and as a ratio of distance of the widest point between the deck (top surface) and the bottom of the board.

-   -   Round rail: a well-rounded rail that almost forms a complete         semi-circle.     -   Down rail or down-turned rail: a rail coming to an edge at the         bottom of the board.     -   Rolled rail: a down rail that is rolled under the board.     -   Egg rail: similar to round rail but more drawn out (like an         egg).     -   50/50: a proportional description of a rail where the widest         point of the rail is at the mid-point of the rail.     -   60/40: A proportional description of a rail where the widest         point is towards the bottom.

Human-powered watercraft such as surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs, can be roughly divided into three lengthwise sections; a bow or nose section (7), a middle section (8), and a stern or tail section (9). In conventional longboard surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs, the widest part of the board is located in the middle section, with width decreasing away from the central section toward the nose and tail. It should be noted that “thruster” type surfboards; shorter, more maneuverable surfboards, have their widest cross-section closer to the tail than typical longboard surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs. A plan view of a typical “thruster” surfboard is illustrated in FIG. 3. A typical sideview of a longboard surfboard is illustrated in FIG. 2. The top surface of the board, known as the “deck” (11), is countered by the bottom surface (12). The thickness of the board (10) is the distance between the deck and bottom. Most surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs have some degree of “nose rocker” (13), the curvature of the nose away from the plane of the deck, and “tail rocker” (14), the curvature of the tail above the plane of the deck. Some human-powered watercraft, particularly paddleboards and SUPs intended for flat-water, non-surfing use, may have very little or no tail rocker or nose rocker, or may only have nose rocker to help when navigating through small choppy waves found in lakes, rivers, and other relatively calm waters. Most human-powered watercraft such as surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs have at least one permanent or removable fin (15) at the bottom of the board near the tail. Surfboards often have two or more fins, with three fins being the most popular configuration used on short board “thruster” surfboards. The plan view, length, width, and thickness of surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs are accompanied by one additional, critical aspect; the cross-sectional geometry, which greatly affects the performance of the watercraft when moving through the water. FIGS. 4-14 show a wide range of cross-section configurations that may be used during the construction of surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs. However, there is virtually an unlimited range of possibilities; FIGS. 4-14 are presented as examples from the range of possibilities. All of the cross-sections illustrated in FIGS. 4-14 can be considered to be taken near the mid-point of the board's length, and viewed as if a board was facing away from the observer (tail closest, nose farthest). All cross-sections show the deck (11), and bottom (12) bounded by the left rail (5) and right rail (6). FIG. 4 illustrates a typical cross-section of a typical longboard surfboard, featuring a slight convex-down bottom, rounded rails, and a flat deck. FIG. 5 shows a cross-section with a flat-bottom and top, with “sharp” rail edges at the lower edge leading to “softer” rail edges toward the deck. FIG. 6 shows a cross-section that is similar to that shown in FIG. 5, except for a slight concave-up feature on the bottom of the board. This cross-section could be from the same board as the cross-section of FIG. 5, but closer to the tail of the board. Cross-sections may vary along the length of the board, changing the characteristics of water flow across the bottom of a board to suit the needs of a given board design. The cross-section of FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 4, except the rails are “softer”. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section with a more pronounced concave-up “channel” than FIG. 6, and has softer rails. FIG. 9 shows a cross-section similar to FIG. 5, but with a domed deck. FIG. 10 shows a cross-section that is also common to many surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs; both the deck and the bottom are concave outward, with soft rails. FIG. 11 shows a cross-section more typical of a paddleboard or SUP used for flat-water paddling. The V-shaped bottom helps to keep the board tracking in the direction of paddling. Boards with significant V-hulls may not require a fin to provide direction stability when paddling. FIG. 12 shows a cross-section with an even more pronounced V-shaped bottom, and has sharper rails than FIG. 11. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are included to show that exotic cross-sections may be used when constructing human-powered watercraft. FIG. 13 shows a “double-V” bottom. FIG. 14 shows a “triple-V” bottom. All of these example cross-sections should not be considered to represent all the possible cross-sections that may be used when constructing human-powered watercraft such as surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs, but are presented to help people unfamiliar with human-powered watercraft to understand the range of possibilities and the almost unlimited variety that may be incorporated. Likewise, the simple plan-view (FIG. 1) and side-view (FIG. 2) are only provided to define the basic features of human-powered watercraft such as surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs; there are also almost unlimited varieties in length, width, thickness, nose rocker, tail rocker, and plan-view geometries, and number and configuration of fins, or lack thereof. FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17 show three variations of plan-form design that may be incorporated in the construction of surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs. FIG. 15 shows a flat tail section. FIG. 16 shows indentations in the rails. FIG. 17 shows a “swallow tail” design. Almost endless varieties of plan-form designs are possible. Despite this almost unlimited variety possible in the construction of prior art human-powered watercraft, they all have one common aspect which the present invention greatly improves upon. Virtually all of the various prior art human-powered watercraft feature the widest part of the craft at or near the center of the long axis (length) of the boards. The present invention includes a narrower central section, which will now be discussed in detail in the following sections. It should be noted that the present invention doesn't need to be symmetrical about the long axis of the watercraft to be considered an embodiment of the invention (FIG. 38). In this example, the left side of the board has a greater indentation toward the narrower, central section of the board than the right side. Such asymmetrical constructions may be used to suit particular rider's needs or wave conditions, but would still be considered embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF PRESENT INVENTION

FIG. 18 shows a representative plan-form of the present invention. The length (1) is the distance from tip of the watercraft nose (2) to the tip of the watercraft tail (3). The watercraft is divided into three sections, a nose section (7), a middle section (8), and a tail section (9). The distinguishing feature of the present invention is the narrower middle section (8) in comparison to the nose section (7) and the tail section (9). Because of this narrowing of the middle section, the watercraft is considered to have three widths; a nose width (16), the widest cross-section distance associated with the nose portion of the watercraft, a middle section width (18), the narrowest cross-section distance associated with the middle section of the watercraft, and the tail section width (17), the widest cross-section distance associated with the tail section of the watercraft. If the narrower middle section of the present invention is included in the construction of a human-powered watercraft, the variety of plan forms are almost limitless. FIGS. 19-29 show several of the potential embodiments. Potential embodiments may involve fairly large differences in cross-section widths, or may only involve a slightly narrower middle section. The degree of “narrowness” of the middle section in relation to the nose and tail sections can be adjusted to suit the purpose of the constructed embodiment of the present invention, and will be discussed when considering the several advantages of the present invention over the prior art. All other features of the watercraft; length, width, cross-sectional geometry, plan-form geometry, thickness, weight, nose rocker, tail rocker, tail configuration, fin configuration and number, etc. are irrelevant in distinguishing the present invention from prior art human-powered watercraft; it is the narrower middle section which is a highly novel departure from prior art human-powered watercraft which allows the present invention to be considered a new class of human-powered watercraft.

Greater Ease in Paddling

The narrower middle section of the present invention improves the paddling efficiency of riders by decreasing the distance an arm or paddle must reach outward from the long axis of the watercraft to contact the water. When a person is paddling a human-powered watercraft with their arms, either when lying down, kneeling, or perhaps sitting, they reach to either side of the craft and stroke the water toward the rear of the craft. When paddling strokes are made farther away from the center of the craft, less energy is transferred to forward motion, with more energy lost through “yawing” of the board, and less surface area of each arm able to contact the water to provide more thrust. A narrower middle section allows a rider's arms to stroke deeper into the water, and closer to the board, producing greater and more efficient thrust. FIG. 30 and FIG. 31 show schematically how the narrower central section of the watercraft allows the paddling strokes to be made closer to the riders body and along the long axis of the watercraft (FIG. 31), as opposed to watercraft without the narrower central section (FIG. 30). The dashed line of FIG. 31 shows the approximate position of a rider's arm when paddling a conventional width surfboard; even paddling just a few inches closer to the board center improves paddling efficiency.

When using a standup paddleboard (SUP), riders use a long paddle (19) to stroke the water on either side of the board (FIG. 32). The typically wider SUPs, in comparison to surfboards, means that even greater “yawing” in imparted to the motion of the board, due to reaching even farther away from the board center during each stroke. This yawing requires constant switching from paddling on one side of the board to the other. By including a narrower middle section in the construction of a SUP, riders are able to paddle closer to the board center, decreasing the yawing, and improving the paddling efficiency. The dashed line of FIG. 33 shows where a rider's paddle may be when paddling a conventional width SUP, as compared with a SUP constructed as an embodiment of the present invention.

The lighter weight associated with the present invention also improves the paddling efficiency, since reduction in weight of any mass reduces the force required to move the mass; lighter weight surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs are easier to paddle than heavier surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs.

Greater Ease in Carrying

The narrower middle section of water craft constructed as embodiments of the present invention makes them easier to carry. Many longboard surfboards, paddleboards, and even more SUPs, are too wide to carry by hand without a built in hand-hold device FIG. 34 (20), or some other feature that allows gripping the board somewhere away from the edges. Human arms are limited in their length such that any board wider than about 24 inches is too wide for most people to reach around, especially if the board is also relatively thick. Without grip-assistance features built into a board, a rider usually has to carry the board on their head, or two people carry the board by holding the two ends. The present invention makes it easier to carry various embodiments in two ways, 1) the reduction in materials required to construct each watercraft makes them lighter, and 2) the narrower middle section allows a person's arm to extend across the width of the board and grasp one of the rails (FIG. 35).

Lower Construction Costs

Construction of human-powered watercraft involves the time to assemble and finish each craft, and quantities of materials associated with the various steps of construction and finishing. By reducing the width of the central section of each watercraft constructed as an embodiment of the present invention, time required for construction is reduced, and quantities of materials are reduced, resulting in lower total construction costs.

Greater Stability

The stability, “less tippy”, characteristics of a surfboard, paddleboard, and SUP are largely determined by the length and width of a board. The longer a board is, the less rocking from front to back occurs. The wider a board is, the less rocking from side to side occurs. Wider surfboards, paddleboards, and SUPs are typically used when first learning to ride them, since the wider boards require less balance. However, wider boards are harder to paddle and paddling is less efficient, as previously discussed. The present invention allows riders to experience the stability of a wider board while also taking advantage of the greater paddling efficiency associated with a narrower board.

Greater Maneuverability

Longboard surfboards and SUPs constructed as embodiments of the present invention may experience greater maneuverability than prior art longboards and SUPs when riding waves. While riding waves, a rider can stand on the tail portion of the board and ride it as if the board were a much shorter board. Since the bow section of the board is separated from the tail section by the narrower middle section, a rider on the tail of the board is able to maneuver the board as if the bow section is absent. Because the present invention is lighter, less effort is required to turn the board.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular illustrative embodiments, almost infinite modifications, additions, and other changes can be made to the present invention without departure from the scope and spirit thereof, that is, a human-powered watercraft with a middle section narrower than the nose and tail sections. 

I claim:
 1. An elongate, buoyant, human-powered watercraft having a bow (nose) section, a middle section, and a stern (tail) section wherein the middle section width is less than the bow and stern section widths.
 2. The human-powered watercraft of claim 1 constructed as a surfboard, paddleboard, or standup paddleboard.
 3. The human-powered watercraft of claim 2 wherein the bow and stern sections are of equal width.
 4. The human-powered watercraft of claim 2 wherein the bow section is wider than the stern section.
 5. The human-powered watercraft of claim 2 wherein the stern section is wider than the bow section.
 6. The human-powered watercraft of claim 2 wherein one or more fins are used under the stern section.
 7. The human-powered watercraft of claim 3 wherein one or more fins are used under the stern section.
 8. The human-powered watercraft of claim 4 wherein one or more fins are used under the stern section.
 9. The human-powered watercraft of claim 5 wherein one or more fins are used under the stern section.
 10. The human-powered watercraft of claim 2 wherein one or more longitudinal reinforcement members are incorporated.
 11. The human-powered watercraft of claim 7 wherein one or more longitudinal reinforcement members are incorporated.
 12. The human-powered watercraft of claim 8 wherein one or more longitudinal reinforcement members are incorporated.
 13. The human-powered watercraft of claim 9 wherein one or more longitudinal reinforcement members are incorporated.
 14. The human-powered watercraft of claim 2 wherein the plan-view is not symmetrical about the long axis.
 15. The human-powered watercraft of claim 2 wherein nose and tail rocker, and one or more fins under the stern section, are incorporated.
 16. The human-powered watercraft of claim 1 which is constructed as a standup paddleboard without nose or tail rocker.
 17. The human-powered watercraft of claim 1 which is constructed as a standup paddleboard without tail rocker.
 18. A body board having a narrower central section and wider fore and aft sections.
 19. A surfboard having a bow (nose) section, a middle section, and a stern (tail) section wherein the middle section width is less than the bow and stern section widths. 